Qutub Shahi Tombs

The Qutub Shahi Dynasty

The Qutub Shahi dynasty, oddly enough, did not come into existence because of the founder, Sultan Quli Qutub-ul-Mulk’s ambition. It was formed because the empire that it was originally a part of, faced rebellion from other governors and broke up. Sultan Quli found himself suddenly an independent king, which he never had aspirations to be.

But the forces of fate were correct in their estimation of him and his successors as they proved to be extremely able rulers. Not only were they good administrators, they also had a unique ability to bring people together across religious divides.

They ruled from the Golconda Fort which they inherited from their predecessors and they further fortified. The fifth ruler Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah also founded the city of Hyderabad, a few kilometres away from Golconda, which was to be the new capital metropolis of the kingdom. It was beautifully planned and laid out, full of gardens and beautiful houses, and it remains one of the country’s most important cities till today.

The Qutub Shahi Tombs

Just north of the fort, surrounded by the tranquil greenery of the Ibrahim Bagh gardens stand the progressively more imposing tombs of seven of the eight Qutub Shahi rulers, along with dozens of smaller tombs belonging to relatives and loyal courtiers. This necropolis is one of the most unique in the world as it is the resting place of almost an entire dynasty.